Keeper's Sunday League full house

EMMER Green legend Neil Ingram has completed a Sunday League full house. The 44-year-old has now played for the club at every level of the Reading League – from the old Division Six right up to the top flight – over a 23-year period.

EMMER Green legend Neil Ingram has completed a Sunday League full house.

The 44-year-old has now played for the club at every level of the Reading League – from the old Division Six right up to the top flight – over a 23-year period.

He wore the number one shirt during Sunday’s 4-0 defeat at Ibis having previously saved the club from extinction.

He said: “I threw all my gear away a few months ago, it broke my heart, but I didn’t think I’d need it.

“I felt proud to play again, especially in the Senior. I was chuffed about it as I really didn’t expect too. I might get all the abuse in the changing room for being the oldest, but I love it. Simple as that. And I will take every opportunity I can to play.”

Ingram has enjoyed a successful career at a host of clubs, including Reading Town, Exiles and Irish, Quicksilver and Caversham Park. But there is only one club in the game he can call home.

He added: “I first joined Emmer Green in 1985. At one stage there was a real danger we were going to fold, but I managed to keep them afloat and the rest is history, as they say.

“If you’d told someone four or five years ago that we would be in the Senior Division today they would have laughed in your face.”

Secretary “and general dog’s body,” Catherine White added: “We signed him on as cover at the start of the season. He had to play a cup match against South Stoke before Christmas, and he kept a clean sheet.

“Our keeper is suspended now so he will definitely play the next two.”

White confirmed it was down to Ingram, who happens to be her boyfriend, that the club is still thriving today.

She said: “Emmer Green used to be a decent side but the players got old and it was on the verge of folding. We were not going to let that happen. Neil took over and rounded up a few bodies and kept it alive.

“The current manager, Steve Cowen, then replaced him and we have gone from strength to strength.

“We were promoted to the Premier the season before last and so to then go straight up to the Senior is amazing.”

Manager Cowen was full of praise for Ingram, and added: “Neil has been a great servant for the club and a great goalkeeper. Even at the age of 44 he’s still half decent.

“He turns up every week, even when he’s not playing, and is heavily involved in the club – it was good to see him playing in the Senior Division.”